Problem-based learning (PBL) is now 15 years old and seems to be
coming of age. Wherever curricular change is under way, PBL is finding a
niche. Whether helping to shape a single course or redefining an entire
curriculum, PBL has established itself as a respected means of teaching
dentistry.

In this edition of the ADEA CCI Liaison Ledger, our guest commentary
comes from Dr. Nadeem Karimbux of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine,
where PBL originated. He presents an overview of this teaching
strategy, its benefits and challenges, and its ancient roots. In our
faculty spotlight, we talk with Dr. Marsha A. Pyle, Dean at the
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, about her role
in overseeing a major curriculum redesign at Case School of Dental
Medicine, which made use of PBL. We also visit the University of British
Columbia, which has embraced PBL throughout its curriculum and taken
this innovation into less familiar territory—its admissions process.

Links to JDE articles and to the sites mentioned in this edition’s
stories are available under Resources. We hope you will use these to
explore whether PBL may have a role to play in the curriculum at your
home institution.

Dr. Hunt presented on the progress of ADEA CCI at the November 2009
American Dental Association Council on Dental Education and Licensure
(CDEL) meeting in Chicago.

Dr. Hunt addressed a crowd on October 24 at the ADEA Fall 2009
Meetings. Dr. Hunt spoke about the tremendous progress of ADEA CCI in
fostering an environment for change and innovation.

Feedback from the 2009 ADEA CCI Liaisons Meeting shows that it was a
valuable opportunity for Liaisons from across North America to learn,
teach, and strengthen their ability to lead change and innovation.